Northwestern University News

DALLAS, JUNE 25, 2014 – In the wake of Jonathan Pell's decision to step down after thirty years of distinguished service to The Dallas Opera, General Director & CEO Keith Cerny is delighted to announce the appointment of a new Artistic Administrator, Ian Derrer.

In the wake of Jonathan Pell's decision to step down after thirty years of distinguished service to The Dallas Opera, General Director & CEO Keith Cerny has announce the appointment of a new Artistic Administrator, Ian Derrer.

WGN's Judy Markey is returning to Short Story Theatre for tonight's storytelling event. Short Story Theatre presents an evening of storytelling at 7:00 p.m., tonight, June 25, at Cellar Gate Wine Bar, 524 Sheridan Road in Highwood.

California Shakespeare Theater continues its 2014 season with Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors, directed by Aaron Posner. The Comedy of Errors plays at the Bruns Amphitheater from today, June 25 through July 20.

Since 2009, Broadway South Africa has conducted empowerment through the arts programming in disadvantaged communities throughout South Africa. The organization has raised close to $500,000, helping to improve the lives and future's of student's dramatically affected by poverty, violence, abuse, and HIV/AIDS.

Darren has it all. He's one of the biggest baseball stars on the planet. Millions of adoring fans. Endorsements. And then he decides to come out of the closet. This winner of the 2003 Tony Award for Best New Play and Pulitzer Prize finalist tackles homophobia and racism amidst America's most traditional pastime. Though it was first produced over a decade ago, in the current era of Michael Sam and Jason Collins Take Me Out is just as powerful, moving and relevant it was when it originally premiered.

In Celebrating Penny Fuller's stellar career, she will be sharing the stage with Richard Skipper recounting a 50+ year career in theater, television, film and in cabaret. She will be telling these stories to Richard Skipper of 'Richard Skipper Celebrates!' who interviews celebrities by blog and in a live setting such as the Spiral Theater Studio to get the essence of the artist's complete body of work.

H. S. Kaufman (Book) and Christopher Anselmo (Music and Lyrics) are twenty year-old artists who have written a highly anticipated and groundbreaking musical about what some might describe as a soul-searching and terrifying milestone in the American culture - High School Graduation.

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, are proud to announce the Saturday, June 21 performance of Grounded, by George Brant and directed by Lisa Portes, at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. is a benefit performance for Children of War Foundation. Proceeds from the performance will go directly to surgery and medical treatment for Shah Bibi Tarakhail, an Afghan Child Affected by War. The running time is approximately 80 minutes. Grounded runs through July 13. The performance schedule is Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $19 - $49 and are available at 773.404.7336 or americanbluestheater.com.

59E59 Theaters will welcome Chicago's A Red Orchid Theatre, in association with Bisno Productions, with the NYC premiere of THE OPPONENT, written by Brett Neveu and directed by Karen Kessler. THE OPPONENT begins performances on Thursday, July 31 for a limited engagement through Sunday, September 7. Press opening is Wednesday, August 6 at 7:30 PM.

A hilarious musical adaptation of a Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera, a return engagement of a popular Imagine U family production and a National Theatre Live broadcast of a classic Shakespeare tragedy are highlights of Northwestern University's SummerStage 2014 season.

Today the Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) announced confirmed presenters added to the 25th Anniversary Fall Festival, which will explore the theme of Journeys, Oct. 25-Nov. 9, 2014. They include New York Times op-ed columnist David Brooks, author and editor Roxane Gay, filmmaker Guy Maddin, jazz vocalist Rene Marie, comedian and Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! panelist Paula Poundstone, and former Brown University president Ruth Simmons. A complete schedule will be released in August at chicagohumanities.org/journeys.

Raue Center For The Arts has announced the lineup for the third annual National Piano Conference at Raue Center. The organization is thrilled to announce that Lance Lipinsky of Chicago's "Million Dollar Quartet" will play the big event for a second time! His appearance last year at Raue Center was a SOLD OUT show in which he appeared as part of a performance entitled Jerry Lee & Friends: An Evening of The King, the Killer & Cash! This year, Lance returns, but he has brought with him his own band of rockabilly rockers, the Lovers. The conference runs from June 27, 2014 to June 29, 2014. Lance Lipinsky and his band The Lovers will perform on June 29, 2014 at 7:00 pm.

The Hangar Theatre is pleased to announce the shows for its upcoming Wedge Series. These four shows will be under the direction of the Drama League Directing Fellows, and will feature members of the Hangar Theatre Lab Company. Each year the Hangar offers free admission to Hangar patrons and all community members to its Wedge Series of cutting edge performances. These shows take place under the Hangar Tent, which is transformed into a unique performance venue for each Wedge show. Performances begin 15 minutes after the scheduled Mainstage performances tonight, June 19, and June 20, as well as July 3, 4, 17, 18, 24, and 25. Wedge performances are open to all ages; however they may contain mature language and situations that may not be suitable for all children.

The Hangar Theatre is pleased to announce the shows for its upcoming Wedge Series. These four shows will be under the direction of the Drama League Directing Fellows, and will feature members of the Hangar Theatre Lab Company. Each year the Hangar offers free admission to Hangar patrons and all community members to its Wedge Series of cutting edge performances. These shows take place under the Hangar Tent, which is transformed into a unique performance venue for each Wedge show. Performances begin 15 minutes after the scheduled Mainstage performances on June 19 and 20, and July 3, 4, 17, 18, 24, and 25. Wedge performances are open to all ages; however they may contain mature language and situations that may not be suitable for all children.

Steep Artistic Associate Joanie Schultz, fresh off directing the Goodman Theater's production of David Ives' Venus in Fur, returns home to Steep to direct the company's upcoming Chicago Premiere of Adam Bock's A Small Fire. Ms. Schultz and Steep scored a hit with Bock's work in 2012 with their critically acclaimed, Jeff nominated production of The Receptionist. A Small Fire opens on Thursday, July 10th at Steep Theatre.

The Kilroys, an independent LA-based band of female playwrights and producers, have released THE LIST, the results of the first annual industry survey of excellent new plays by female-identified playwrights.

Co-founders John Stoops, Tim Evans, and Marc Grapey proudly announce the second season of Three Oaks Theater Festival, a summer theater festival that brings limited-engagement runs of highly-acclaimed, professional productions to audiences in Harbor Country, Michigan. This expanded season is being performed in creative venues throughout Harbor Country, including the Acorn Theater, Vickers Theatre, and the historic Lakeside Inn. Three Oaks Theater Festival is presented with major support by The Pokagon Fund.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) announces the complete cast for its production of Neil Simon's THE SUNSHINE BOYS, the second show of its three-show Summer Nutmeg Summer Series onstage June 14-29 in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theater, Storrs.